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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Huss v. Tops Markets, Inc.

In 1985, claimant sustained a right shoulder injury while employed by Dunlop Tire, resulting in a permanent partial disability. In 1998, he re-injured the same shoulder while working for Tops Markets, Inc., leading to a new workers' compensation claim. An impartial specialist attributed 85% of the disability to the 1985 injury and 15% to the 1998 injury. Although a Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially rejected apportionment, the Board reversed and applied the 85/15 apportionment. Claimant appealed, contending apportionment was unwarranted due to his disclosure of the prior injury and lack of prior disability symptoms. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial medical evidence to support the apportionment.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityApportionmentPrior InjuryShoulder InjuryCausal RelationshipMedical Expert TestimonyBoard DecisionAppellate ReviewExacerbation
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Forsyth v. Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office

The claimant, a lifeguard, sustained head and shoulder injuries in an automobile accident while working for the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office. His workers' compensation benefits were calculated based on concurrent employment, including seasonal work for the City of New York. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed the finding of concurrent employment, a decision which was subsequently appealed by the employer and its carrier. The appellate court affirmed the Board's determination, finding substantial evidence to support the finding of concurrent employment under Workers’ Compensation Law § 14 [6], given the claimant's long history of working for both employers during the same periods.

concurrent employmentaverage weekly wageworkers' compensationlifeguard injuryseasonal employmentappellate reviewNew York labor law
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 23, 1994

Hendrick v. City of Albany Police Department

A claimant, a police officer for the City of Albany Police Department, suffered a work-related left shoulder injury, leading to disability leave during which he received his full salary. Following a finding of a 55% schedule loss of use of his left arm and a performance of duty disability retirement, the employer sought full reimbursement for the wages paid during his disability period. Both the Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Workers' Compensation Board granted the employer full reimbursement from the claimant's schedule award. The claimant appealed, arguing that it was unfair to allow full reimbursement from an award for a permanent partial disability. However, the court affirmed the Board's decision, consistent with established precedent that employers are entitled to full reimbursement of wages paid during a claimant's disability from their workers' compensation schedule award, irrespective of whether the award is for a permanent partial or total disability.

Workers' CompensationEmployer ReimbursementSchedule AwardPermanent Partial DisabilityGeneral Municipal Law § 207-cDisability BenefitsAppellate DecisionReimbursement from Compensation
References
3
Case No. SBR 0283205, SBR 0267402
Regular
Dec 11, 2007

PHILLIP F. GARCIA vs. LOCKHEED MARTIN AIRCRAFT SERVICES, Permissibly Self-Insured, ESIS, TRAVELERS INSURANCE (ADM./ADJ. AGT.)

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of an award for total permanent disability, which combined the effects of a 1995 shoulder/arm/hand injury and a 1998 bilateral shoulder/upper extremity injury. The defendant, Lockheed Martin, argued that separate awards were required as the injuries became permanent and stationary at different times and affected different body parts. The Board rescinded the award and returned the case to the trial level to await a forthcoming en banc decision on the applicability of the Wilkinson doctrine regarding combined permanent disability awards.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLockheed Martin Aircraft ServicesPermissibly Self-InsuredESISTravelers InsurancePhillip F. GarciaFurther Supplemental Findings and AwardTotally Permanently Disabled1995 injury1998 injury
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Molloy v. DiNapoli

The petitioner, a correction officer, sought performance of duty disability retirement benefits after sustaining multiple left shoulder injuries across several work-related incidents. While the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System conceded permanent disability, the respondent Comptroller denied the application, concluding that the initial June 6, 2008 incident was not the proximate cause of the disability. Conflicting medical evidence was presented, with orthopedic surgeon Andrew Beharrie linking the disability to the 2008 incident, while independent medical examiner Bradley Wiener attributed the need for surgical intervention to subsequent incidents in 2009 and 2010. The Hearing Officer and Comptroller credited Wiener's opinion, noting the lack of immediate medical treatment after the first incident and the petitioner's return to full duty. The court affirmed the Comptroller's determination, finding it to be supported by rational, fact-based medical opinion and substantial evidence.

Disability RetirementPerformance of DutyCorrection OfficerShoulder InjuryCausal RelationshipMedical EvidenceIndependent Medical ExaminationComptroller's DeterminationSubstantial EvidenceCPLR Article 78
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Di Guida v. McCall

Petitioner, a food service worker, sought accidental and ordinary disability retirement benefits after being injured in a fall on milk crates while leaving work. Respondent denied the application for accidental disability benefits, finding the petitioner was not "in service" at the time of the injury, a determination upheld by the court based on substantial evidence and the resolution of a credibility issue. The denial of ordinary disability benefits was also affirmed, supported by a physician's report that found no significant neck or shoulder injury or functional disability. Consequently, the determination was confirmed, and the petition dismissed.

accidental disabilityordinary disabilityretirement benefitsfood service workerfall injuryin servicecredibilitymedical examinationfunctional disabilityCPLR article 78
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 25, 2001

Claim of Ritton v. AT&T—New York

Claimant appealed an amended Workers' Compensation Board decision concerning her disability rate. She had established occupational diseases including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, thoracic outlet, and neck, arm, and shoulder injuries. Initially receiving total disability benefits, the Board later found only a mild to moderate disability for the period from March 1998 to September 1999, crediting the employer's physician, Syed Ehtisham, over the claimant's physician, Michael Lax. The court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence to support the mild to moderate disability finding and upholding the Board's authority in resolving conflicting medical opinions.

Workers' CompensationDisability BenefitsCarpal Tunnel SyndromeMyofascial Pain SyndromeThoracic Outlet SyndromeMedical TestimonyConflicting Medical EvidenceAppellate ReviewCredibility DeterminationOccupational Disease
References
2
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 05652 [164 AD3d 1000]
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 02, 2018

Matter of Robinson v. Workmen's Circle Home

Barbara Robinson, a certified nurse's assistant, filed a claim for workers' compensation benefits for a work-related right shoulder injury in 2011. She received temporary disability payments totaling $133,807.48. In 2016, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) awarded her a 42.50% schedule loss of use (SLU) to her right arm, amounting to $102,494.50, less prior payments. Robinson appealed the WCLJ's decision, arguing that the employer's carrier should not be credited for temporary partial disability payments against the SLU award. The Workers' Compensation Board disagreed, ruling that the carrier could credit all prior disability payments. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding no basis to differentiate between temporary total and temporary partial disability payments for credit purposes, thereby preventing an unjustifiable double recovery for the claimant.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UseTemporary Disability PaymentsCreditDouble RecoveryAppellate DivisionWork-Related InjuryRight Shoulder InjuryCarrier ReimbursementLegal Precedent
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 09, 2006

Claim of Atkinson v. Joseph Baldwin Construction

This is an appeal from decisions of the Workers’ Compensation Board, filed March 29, 2006, and May 9, 2006, which clarified an earlier Board decision from April 23, 2002. The claimant sustained a compensable right shoulder injury in July 1998. Subsequently, the claimant alleged problems with his left shoulder were causally related to the 1998 accident. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially found no causal relationship for the left shoulder injury, a determination affirmed by the Board in April 2002, although the Board's decision ambiguously mentioned developing the schedule of loss of use for 'both arms.' Following further proceedings, the WCLJ reiterated the disallowance of the left arm claim. The Board then clarified its 2002 decision in 2006, stating that it had affirmed the finding of no causal relationship for the left arm and that only the right arm's schedule loss of use was to be developed. The Appellate Division found that the Board's 2006 decisions effectively amended its 2002 decision. Upon review, the court affirmed the Board’s determination, finding substantial evidence supported the conclusion of no causal relationship for the left arm, giving deference to the Board's credibility assessments and resolution of conflicting medical evidence. The court also rejected the argument that the issue of a consequential left shoulder injury remained open, as the Board's prior decision had disallowed any causally related left arm condition.

Workers' Compensation LawCausal RelationshipLeft Shoulder InjuryRight Shoulder InjuryMedical EvidenceCredibility AssessmentAppellate ReviewBoard ClarificationAmended DecisionSchedule Loss of Use
References
6
Case No. ADJ8208920
Regular
Aug 16, 2012

TROY HUGHES vs. SHIMMICK CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves two distinct industrial injuries to applicant's left shoulder and right wrist. The defendant appealed an award of temporary disability, arguing the injuries and their periods of disability overlapped. The Board affirmed the award of temporary disability for the left shoulder, commencing August 20, 2010, for up to 104 weeks. Credit was granted for 2.5 weeks of previously paid temporary disability for the right wrist against the left shoulder award. The Board adopted the Arbitrator's reasoning regarding distinct injuries and periods of disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryLeft ShoulderRight WristCollective Bargaining AgreementLabor Code Section 3201.5Findings and AwardTemporary Disability IndemnityPetition for ReconsiderationArbitrator
References
0
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